THE ICONIC DILYS PRICE A tribute to daredevil Dilys, whose legacy lives on

DEDICATED TO DILYS

Cardiff has lost a legend, and tributes have been pouring in, so we dedicate these pages to the late, great Dilys Price OBE By Lisa Evans

Be kind, be tender Be positive Life is for living Keep active And dance to sweet music Be happy, have fun Give Keep the faith

The above is a succinct message for life written recently by the Cardiff legend Dilys Price OBE – the world’s oldest skydiver, the founder of the Touch Trust and someone who had so much enthusiasm and zest for living. She passed away on 9 October at the age of 88 and tributes celebrating her life came pouring in; we wanted to share them on these pages...

DILYS’S BEST BITS Skydiving Dilys completed 1,139 solo skydives, including one aged 81 in 2013 which saw her become the oldest ever female skydiver. “We had the privilege of working with Dilys on a BBC production alongside Gareth Thomas and the Silver Skydivers in a bid to encourage people to take on new adventures, regardless of age,” says Sara Williams at Skydive Swansea.

Touch Trust This is her legacy; she founded Touch Trust, a creative movement therapy programme for those with complex needs, in 1996, and it became a registered charity in 2000. Dilys, an art of movement and dance specialist taught by Rudolph Laban, pioneered the programme, which aims to activate all the senses to establish a sense of worth and enjoyment. Details of the charity can be found at the end of this feature if you wish to donate or find out more about its future in these tough times.

Unforgettable moments She was awarded an OBE for services to people with special needs; she received a lifetime achiever award at the National Diversity Ceremony; and she was honoured with a Pride of Britain award.

Modelling She became the face of luxury fashion brand Helmut Lang when she was 86. The label challenged ageist stereotypes and invited mature women to front its campaign.

Motto “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” WORDS OF HONOUR Here, just a handful of the thousands of people whose lives Dilys touched in one way or another share their memories…

Dilys’s family “Dilys died peacefully after a short illness. Mum/Mamgu was calm and joyous throughout the time of her passing and always made clear to everyone that she was happy and at peace. Dilys was an inspirational person whose belief in love, compassion and service to others remained true right up until the end. Her family want to thank all her many friends for the support they gave Dilys and would like everyone to commemorate her passing with joyous thoughts and positive deeds.” Marion Murray A lifelong friend “See you later, alligator. We must not regret Dilys’s passing; she had a wonderful life. She was joy. I looked out of my window the day she died and there was a rainbow that ended over where she lived. She was a rainbow person; she once skydived through a rainbow, she loved that.” Mavis Burris Sharing the story of the start of Touch Trust... “Memories come flooding back circa 1996 when Dilys arrived on the scene where S.T.E.P (Services to Enable People) were based. Here we came together for various activities supporting people with disabilities. “Dilys came to introduce us to her unique creative movement programme, bringing with her an eclectic variety of percussion instruments, bells, brightly coloured scarves, an amazing parachute, bags of energy and a huge amount of compassion.

“It became apparent after several sessions with Dilys how beneficial this experience was becoming to the members of our group. It was very evident, especially in people with severe behavioural problems, of how much calmer, relaxed and happier they were after a session. The idea of forming a charity was founded and eventually the Touch Trust was registered as a charity, with Dilys at the helm, in 2000.” Sara Williams Skydive Swansea “It all began 20 years ago in a skydive centre in England. The sound of laughter could be heard in the distance emanating from a lady who was surrounded by a group of skydivers, seemingly entranced by her every word. Little did I know how much that first burst of laughter would go on to have such an impact on my life, and the lives of many others. “For most people, the sight of a tiny-framed, white-haired lady at

“She burned like a thousand sparklers, fizzing and popping in your hand”

LOCAL LOVE • In celebration of her life, neighbours on Dilys’s street are signing up to do a group skydive. “Dilys has tried to convince us do it for 20 years,” says a neighbour, “but now we feel we should in her honour.”

• A local theatre group have paid tribute by throwing brightly coloured roses into streams around Cardiff.

• Our Cardiff Life columnist, and artist, Nathan Wyburn is creating a collaged portrait of Dilys made up of photos of skydivers from around the globe.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEXANDRA LEESE FOR HELMUT LANG ©

Strike a pose: Dilys was the octogenarian face of luxury fashion brand Helmut Lang

Skydive Swansea must mean she’s a spectator supporting a friend or family member. But Dilys was no spectator. The stunned expressions on people’s faces would always raise a smile when Dilys would sling her parachute over shoulder. Some expressions would turn to concern when they realised that Dilys was, in fact, a solo skydiver.

“She made time for everyone, often seeking out nervous tandem jumpers and filling them with confidence and excitement encouraged by her passion and enthusiasm for the sport. Dilys had a magic about her, an instinct to say exactly the right thing at the right time.

“Just before Dilys passed away, we talked about how we would put a picture of her in the aircraft so that she could be with us on every skydive flight, the guardian angel of skydivers. She loved this idea and promised to fly high and watch over us.” Baroness Finlay of Llandaff Chair of the board of governors of Cardiff Met University “It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of our previous staff member and Honorary Fellow, Dilys Price OBE. She was a senior lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University, working on the human movement studies degree courses and was responsible for dance studies. She was part of the team which founded and built the innovative and forward-looking Wales Sports Centre for the Disabled (1996) which trained elite able and disabled athletes together.

“Through her positive outlook, she worked tirelessly for a kinder, more generous inclusive world and her inspiration lives on in those who continue working towards this goal.”

“She’s now the guardian angel of skydivers”

Hiroko Sue A music and touch therapist who trained in Dilys’s programme and intends to carry on Dilys’s legacy to help people in Japan “Japan has a reputation for being a very hardworking nation. Despite the pressures people face and no true work-life balance, they just grit their teeth and carry on. We have all been taught that it is a virtue. We are not very good at praising people either. During our trip in 2018 to introduce Touch Therapy to Japan, Dilys was constantly projecting love to people, wherever we went. I saw people’s faces gradually breaking into a smile after talking to Dilys. It was sheer magic. Her approach taught me to relax myself and she always assured me everything was going to be alright. She has given me a mission in life to continue her legacy, to be kind and considerate to everyone, to help the vulnerable and weak and those less fortunate than ourselves.”

Rebecca Valentine Managing director at Grey Model Agency, which Dilys joined as a collective model “I met Dilys two years ago when she joined the agency; over that time, we worked on various briefs, documentaries, and book and film ideas on her life, but more in her message to send out love and help everyone. Her memoir was discussed throughout that time and plans are going ahead for a docudrama about her life which Dilys had been so very excited about.”

Martin O’Brien A member of Cardiff’s No Name Amateur Dramatic Association “I first met Dilys in a local bar, she was sat alone sipping a cocktail looking happy and content so my wife and I asked if we could join her; it was one of the best things we have ever done. During that afternoon,

we learnt of all the wonderful and exciting things that Dilys had achieved in her life. We were also able to tell her that I am part of No Name Amateur Dramatic Association, and we raise money for Cardiff YMCA and The Wallich. At hearing this, Dilys’s eyes lit up saying she had always dreamt of performing on stage. Well, the opportunity to have a local celebrity in our show was too good to be missed. I had recently written and was planning to stage a dining murder mystery event entitled Only Fools and Hearses, and I had the ideal role for Dilys. Dilys was to play herself as Uncle Albert’s girlfriend, giving the audience a glimpse of her achievement all with a sprinkling of humour from DelBoy and Uncle Albert. Dilys beamed excitement at the chance to perform on stage. It was a huge pleasure for us to give her an opportunity to realise another one of her dreams.”

Sian Gunney A good friend “I met Dilys at an event called Superwoman in Cardiff in 2013. We were both invited to speak and were at the same table. Dilys had a big reputation for her charity work with disabled people, as well as for being the world’s oldest female solo skydiver, and I was asked to talk about entrepreneurship. We hit it off, and she roped me into my first skydive, despite my fear of heights. I meet people all the time, but connections like ours are rare.”

Tim Gordon Head of marketing at Cardiff Council “I only met Dilys once, I doubt I’ll ever forget it. She burned like a thousand sparklers, fizzing and popping in your hand, bright white heat spreading endless joy and fun and possibilities.”

THE POWER OF GOOD Here, parents of children whose lives were changed by Dilys’s Touch Trust charity share their experiences

Jackie Fears “My son, Greg, started coming to Touch Trust at the age of 19 when he transitioned from paediatric to adult services. Ask any parent of a child with learning disabilities and they will tell you that this is such a worrying and difficult time. Through Touch Trust, we found something unique for our son. Dilys focused on the positive, the possible and her love and encouragement was unlimited. Greg adored her because he sensed this love and TT is his favourite place to be.”

Sandra Perkins “My daughter, Naomi, attended Touch Trust for many years. Naomi has multiple complex problems and her behaviour can be challenging. It is testament to Dilys’s ingeniousness and tenacious spirit that Touch Trust and the programmes Naomi has participated in are what has set her free. Our lives have been enriched by knowing Dilys; she continued her emotional support of our family when Naomi’s older sister Laura suffered a catastrophic brain injury after a heart attack. It is hard to think of a world without Dilys in it, particularly since her joy in life left us with the impression that she would always be here, because she was, is, necessary.”

Bethan Cordery A good friend “We were close friends despite the 70-year age gap (I’m 16). She and I were planning to do a skydive for The Wallich as an ‘oldest and youngest skydivers’ duo, but, due to Covid, that was unable to happen. My favourite quote of hers was ‘if you fall off your bike, get back on and do wheelies’.”

Charlotte Dando Colleague and friend “I worked with Dilys at Touch Trust and was fortunate to travel with her to New York and Hong Kong promoting the charity’s programme. While in Hong Kong, we took part in a harmonica world record attempt with the Hong Kong symphony orchestra. Everywhere she went she made a lasting impression.”

Nathan Wyburn Cardiff artist “Dilys was a force to be reckoned with. I can’t think of her without smiling and I always left any interaction with her feeling enlightened. I’ll miss my friend.”

Wayne Courtney Cardiff radio host “I’ll remember Dilys for her warmth, kindness and selflessness. When I see a rainbow, I’ll think of Dilys, forever in the skies and making dark days look pretty. We should all be more like Dilys Price.”

Bet Davies A good friend “I have known Dilys for over 18 years. We became close friends when I was working at Wales Millennium Centre, where Dilys’s Touch Trust is based. So we met every day and I always took VIPs to visit the smallest resident company which was like the glue joining all the others residents together – from the Welsh National Opera to the National Dance Company Wales.” n

To donate to Dilys’s Touch Trust at Wales Millennium Centre, visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/fundourfuture2020 or www.touchtrust.org.uk